Q. i am doing a talk on blood diamonds and i would appreciate any help on them
1) when did De Beers stop buying conflict diamonds?
2) how has countries like Britain, germany or japan tried to stop conflict diamonds
3) any examples of slave camps mining diamonds being set free
4) and any views you have on conflcit diamonds.
1) when did De Beers stop buying conflict diamonds?
2) how has countries like Britain, germany or japan tried to stop conflict diamonds
3) any examples of slave camps mining diamonds being set free
4) and any views you have on conflcit diamonds.
A. What is a conflict diamond?
Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.
How can a conflict diamond be distinguished from a legitimate diamond?
A well-structured 'Certificate of Origin' regime can be an effective way of ensuring that only legitimate diamonds -- that is, those from government-controlled areas -- reach market. Additional controls by Member States and the diamond industry are needed to ensure that such a regime is effective. These measures might include the standardization of the certificate among diamond exporting countries, transparency, auditing and monitoring of the regime and new legislation against those who fail to comply.
Who needs to take action?
Governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, diamond traders, financial institutions, arms manufacturers, social and educational institutions and other civil society players need to combine their efforts, demand the strict enforcement of sanctions and encourage real peace. The horrific atrocities in Sierra Leone and the long suffering of the people of Angola have heightened the international community's awareness of the need to cut off sources of funding for the rebels in order to promote lasting peace in those countries; such an opportunity cannot be wasted.
Published on Monday, June 12, 2000 in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
'Conflict Diamonds':
Americans Can Stop The Damage They Do
Editorial
This is a story about diamonds -- "conflict diamonds." These stones come from war-ravaged Angola, Sierra Leone and Congo. Far from being anyone's best friend, they have proven a powerful enemy of the innocent thousands killed, wounded and maimed in those wars.
Why is this of concern to Americans? Because Americans buy 65 percent of all retail diamonds. Because if Americans begin to insist on proof that those diamonds are not washed with African blood, they can become a powerful force for bringing peace to these horribly brutalized peoples.
Rep. Tony Hall, D-Ohio, has introduced legislation that would require certificates on all diamonds, detailing their place of origin. The United Nations and the British government are pushing for tighter controls as well. Opinions differ on whether Hall's approach is practical, but his legislation sends a strong message to the diamond industry: Find ways to clean up your trade or we will.
"Diamonds are forever," says diamond cartel DeBeers. But human lives and human limbs aren't. Consider Maria, an 8-month-old baby girl in Sierra Leone. In an act of unfathomable cruelty, her arm was hacked off by the "rebel" terrorists of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The RUF mob has sought to impose its will on Sierra Leone by chopping off thousands of civilian hands, feet and ears. Thousands more people have simply been slaughtered and left to rot in village streets. Men, women, children, civilian, soldier; it makes no difference to the RUF.
What's the diamond connection? The RUF has kept itself well supplied with arms, vehicles, food and other supplies by mining and smuggling hundreds of millions of dollars worth of illicit diamonds into a world market that is determined to see no evil.
It's the same in Angola, where illicit diamonds have funded the 25-year-old war waged by Jonas Savimbi and his UNITA forces. By one estimate, UNITA earned $4 billion from its illegal sales of diamonds between 1992 and 1998. It used that money to undermine the Angola peace process and to purchase new arms.
The international diamond industry has taken several steps to stop the trade in illicit diamonds, but they are puny steps. Much more could be done, beginning with an acknowledgment of responsibility.
Take the DeBeers cartel. It mines 50 percent of the world's diamonds and purchases about 80 percent of those offered for sale on open markets. More than $4 billion in diamonds are stockpiled in DeBeers offices; it buys and sells in quantities designed to keep diamond prices at an artificially high rate. All told, it controls 85 percent of the world trade. (Where is trust buster Joel Klein when we need him?)
DeBeers insists it is impossible to tell where uncut diamonds originate (others disagree) but simultaneously insists it buys no conflict diamonds. How can those statements both be true? Well, DeBeers says, it has closed its offices in the controversial areas of Angola, Sierra Leone and Congo
Another trouble spot and diamond-rich area is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Following the recent withdrawal of foreign troops, analysts fear a further fragmentation of the country, which is rich in diamonds and natural resources. The risk is that warlords will benefit from the rich interior and create fiefdoms controlled by
Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.
How can a conflict diamond be distinguished from a legitimate diamond?
A well-structured 'Certificate of Origin' regime can be an effective way of ensuring that only legitimate diamonds -- that is, those from government-controlled areas -- reach market. Additional controls by Member States and the diamond industry are needed to ensure that such a regime is effective. These measures might include the standardization of the certificate among diamond exporting countries, transparency, auditing and monitoring of the regime and new legislation against those who fail to comply.
Who needs to take action?
Governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, diamond traders, financial institutions, arms manufacturers, social and educational institutions and other civil society players need to combine their efforts, demand the strict enforcement of sanctions and encourage real peace. The horrific atrocities in Sierra Leone and the long suffering of the people of Angola have heightened the international community's awareness of the need to cut off sources of funding for the rebels in order to promote lasting peace in those countries; such an opportunity cannot be wasted.
Published on Monday, June 12, 2000 in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
'Conflict Diamonds':
Americans Can Stop The Damage They Do
Editorial
This is a story about diamonds -- "conflict diamonds." These stones come from war-ravaged Angola, Sierra Leone and Congo. Far from being anyone's best friend, they have proven a powerful enemy of the innocent thousands killed, wounded and maimed in those wars.
Why is this of concern to Americans? Because Americans buy 65 percent of all retail diamonds. Because if Americans begin to insist on proof that those diamonds are not washed with African blood, they can become a powerful force for bringing peace to these horribly brutalized peoples.
Rep. Tony Hall, D-Ohio, has introduced legislation that would require certificates on all diamonds, detailing their place of origin. The United Nations and the British government are pushing for tighter controls as well. Opinions differ on whether Hall's approach is practical, but his legislation sends a strong message to the diamond industry: Find ways to clean up your trade or we will.
"Diamonds are forever," says diamond cartel DeBeers. But human lives and human limbs aren't. Consider Maria, an 8-month-old baby girl in Sierra Leone. In an act of unfathomable cruelty, her arm was hacked off by the "rebel" terrorists of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The RUF mob has sought to impose its will on Sierra Leone by chopping off thousands of civilian hands, feet and ears. Thousands more people have simply been slaughtered and left to rot in village streets. Men, women, children, civilian, soldier; it makes no difference to the RUF.
What's the diamond connection? The RUF has kept itself well supplied with arms, vehicles, food and other supplies by mining and smuggling hundreds of millions of dollars worth of illicit diamonds into a world market that is determined to see no evil.
It's the same in Angola, where illicit diamonds have funded the 25-year-old war waged by Jonas Savimbi and his UNITA forces. By one estimate, UNITA earned $4 billion from its illegal sales of diamonds between 1992 and 1998. It used that money to undermine the Angola peace process and to purchase new arms.
The international diamond industry has taken several steps to stop the trade in illicit diamonds, but they are puny steps. Much more could be done, beginning with an acknowledgment of responsibility.
Take the DeBeers cartel. It mines 50 percent of the world's diamonds and purchases about 80 percent of those offered for sale on open markets. More than $4 billion in diamonds are stockpiled in DeBeers offices; it buys and sells in quantities designed to keep diamond prices at an artificially high rate. All told, it controls 85 percent of the world trade. (Where is trust buster Joel Klein when we need him?)
DeBeers insists it is impossible to tell where uncut diamonds originate (others disagree) but simultaneously insists it buys no conflict diamonds. How can those statements both be true? Well, DeBeers says, it has closed its offices in the controversial areas of Angola, Sierra Leone and Congo
Another trouble spot and diamond-rich area is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Following the recent withdrawal of foreign troops, analysts fear a further fragmentation of the country, which is rich in diamonds and natural resources. The risk is that warlords will benefit from the rich interior and create fiefdoms controlled by
Will walkie talkies work in an airport?
Q. Going to germany with some friends. We are taking two different flights that arrive at the same time, at the same airport. Thinking about bringing walkie talkies so we can find each other in the airport. Good idea, or will not work?
A. If you're talking about the little FRS radios that everyone is carrying around in the US... DO NOT DO IT!!! The frequencies are different between the US & Europe. The frequencies used for FRS radios, cordless phones, etc. in the US fall within the Emergency Services band in Europe. In other words, by talking on those radios, you could be interfering with police or fire department radios.
This warning is given loud & clear to all arriving US military & contractor personnel. The Polizi has broken into homes simply to seize US-made baby monitors & phones before.
This warning is given loud & clear to all arriving US military & contractor personnel. The Polizi has broken into homes simply to seize US-made baby monitors & phones before.
How do you break the endless cycle of recruitment and regeneration of Al Qaeda or others like it?
Q. Most of them join Al Qaeda voluntarily, not by force. Mainly motivated by their religion and politics.
A. I think a major first step would be if the President quit surrendering to them. "We will leave by the end of the year!" ("Yea!!!" Say his toadies.) And "Yea!!" say our enemies. Then they turn to the farmer and say, "See? America is leaving in a few months. They'll be gone. They won't be there to protect you. We won. And you will pay."
If all he had done...and it is SO simple, but Democrats NEVER get it!...is don't SAY you're going to give up. During the Vietnam war, the NVA were constantly monitoring our radio and were constantly hearted by America's flagging resolve under Johnson. They knew that all they had to do was hold on and America would quit. And we did. Like Vietnam, Obama has lost this war. He lost it when he gave up.
UPDATE: Their motivation. Personally, I think religion has very little to do with it. I believe the key motivator is power. These guys aren't fighting to spread their religion, they're fighting to gain control. They USE religion as a facade to justify their tyranny. Think of the prince bishops in medival Europe. Power hungry with almost no regard for 'religion'. Religion was a means to an end. I was in Wurzburg, Germany in January. Toured the Prince Bishop's palace. Now this was THE guy, the big Kahuna in the Catholic church in the region and there was not a single...not one...representation of Christ in the entire palace. Lots of Greek gods, swords, spears and nekkid nymphs, but not a single representation of Christ and only one depiction of any Christian theme, Moses as a baby. The objective here was power and to project power, not religion. Al Qaeda is much the same way.
If all he had done...and it is SO simple, but Democrats NEVER get it!...is don't SAY you're going to give up. During the Vietnam war, the NVA were constantly monitoring our radio and were constantly hearted by America's flagging resolve under Johnson. They knew that all they had to do was hold on and America would quit. And we did. Like Vietnam, Obama has lost this war. He lost it when he gave up.
UPDATE: Their motivation. Personally, I think religion has very little to do with it. I believe the key motivator is power. These guys aren't fighting to spread their religion, they're fighting to gain control. They USE religion as a facade to justify their tyranny. Think of the prince bishops in medival Europe. Power hungry with almost no regard for 'religion'. Religion was a means to an end. I was in Wurzburg, Germany in January. Toured the Prince Bishop's palace. Now this was THE guy, the big Kahuna in the Catholic church in the region and there was not a single...not one...representation of Christ in the entire palace. Lots of Greek gods, swords, spears and nekkid nymphs, but not a single representation of Christ and only one depiction of any Christian theme, Moses as a baby. The objective here was power and to project power, not religion. Al Qaeda is much the same way.
Do you think prostitution should be legalised?
Q. A prosperous sex industry could become 3% of the GDP. Honestly I don't see how it's sexist. Women getting naked does not relate to a morbidly obese baby boomer talking about equality.
A. It's an interesting debate. For one, it'd have to be something monitored harshly to prevent sex trafficking and other issues. It'd also have to be radically different from the prostitution we see on the streets, as there will be companies and businesses forming around prostitution, treating it as more of an industry. Measures would have to be taken to prevent pregnancies and STDs, some of which can be difficult to monitor or detect right away.
The issue becomes complicated when you consider the fact that sex for money is always going to be around and is still done legally in the pornography industry which will probably remain constant and thriving.
After all, what a person chooses to do with his or her body is not the business of the law, as long as it doesn't endanger themselves or society as a whole. Perhaps having sex as an industry would make prostitution cleaner and safer as well as profitable. Something similar to Germany, where prostitution is legal granted that the prostitute has a license to have sex for money.
The issue, though, comes from the stripper stereotype. A woman down on her luck makes a few buck by becoming a sex object. That's pretty blatantly taking advantage of people living in poverty. And given the fact that people will do what they need to make money, a lot of women are going to be taken advantage of regardless of how prostitution is handled. Not to mention, sex as an industry is going to lead to a lot of open sexuality in what is already a pretty oversexualized society, which has its own downsides.
Frankly, I don't plan on becoming or buying a prostitute. I'm a little indifferent, I suppose.
The issue becomes complicated when you consider the fact that sex for money is always going to be around and is still done legally in the pornography industry which will probably remain constant and thriving.
After all, what a person chooses to do with his or her body is not the business of the law, as long as it doesn't endanger themselves or society as a whole. Perhaps having sex as an industry would make prostitution cleaner and safer as well as profitable. Something similar to Germany, where prostitution is legal granted that the prostitute has a license to have sex for money.
The issue, though, comes from the stripper stereotype. A woman down on her luck makes a few buck by becoming a sex object. That's pretty blatantly taking advantage of people living in poverty. And given the fact that people will do what they need to make money, a lot of women are going to be taken advantage of regardless of how prostitution is handled. Not to mention, sex as an industry is going to lead to a lot of open sexuality in what is already a pretty oversexualized society, which has its own downsides.
Frankly, I don't plan on becoming or buying a prostitute. I'm a little indifferent, I suppose.
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Title Post: Can someone please answer some questions i have on conflict or blood diamonds?
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